Prescription medication generally refers to medication which require close monitoring by the prescriber. Examples of such medications may include antibiotics, anti-hypertensives (high blood pressure medications) or anti-cancer medications. Only a prescriber can initiate, continue or stop treatment for these diseases. Once the doctor has established a diagnosis for the patient, the doctor can then supply the necessary medications to the patient. However if a patient prefers to get the supply from a community pharmacy and not at the clinic itself, the doctor can provide the patient a prescription, which is essentially a written order issued by a prescriber (doctor or dentist) to a pharmacist in the form of medication instructions for an individual patient, which will correctly list the type of medication, the correct dose, frequency, administration route as well as duration for the treatment. Without a valid prescription, a pharmacist is not allowed to dispense the above medications.
However, for non-prescription medication, a pharmacist can dispense the medication to the patient directly without a prescription. These may include certain cough, cold, anti-vomiting, anti-diarrhoeal and certain eye medications. A pharmacist is able to respond to the symptoms presented by patients by providing the appropriate medications.
The last category of medications would be the over the counter medications. The most common example would be paracetamol which is used for fever and mild pain. Patients can easily obtain this medication without going through a doctor or a pharmacist. The medicine can be found on the outer shelves of pharmacies to grocery stores or even petrol stations.
Therefore, it is essential that patients understand and appreciate the differences between prescription and non-prescription medications and exercise their right to obtain a prescription from a doctor.
References: Poisons Act 1952 Malaysia
